5 Weeks to Your Perfect Bikini Body! Week 3

Supplements: zinc, flax and why magnesium will help you to sleep better

Still motivated to get the bikini body? Great! I am proud of you! I have been giving you advice about your nutrition and training plan for the last couple of weeks. Hope you reduced the amount of carbs you used to consume and instead of pasta with meat balls you have been having salmon with broccoli for dinner. Intensive training is necessary as well. Circuits with weight and interval trainings will make you fitter and leaner. What else can you do? Add some supplements to your diet and get some sleep! I have been sleepless for the last few days so I’ve decided this would be a good time to tell you about ways to get more sleep. Let’s start with supplements. I trust that fish oils rich in omega 3 and 6 have been in your diet since Day 1 of your diet plan. It’s time to add few more.

Zinc and magnesium

Why is zinc so good for you? First of all it has antioxidant properties which means that thanks to this mineral you can stay young for longer. Secondly, it helps to regenerate your skin and muscles – very important when you work out. Still not convinced? I will tell you more: zinc also helps in sexual development.

How will it make you leaner? The research shows that we crave less and eat less when our diet is rich in zinc.

Where to find it? You can provide your body with zinc by eating meat (especially red meat: beef, lamb, liver), nuts (pine nuts, cashews, almonds), seeds (pumpkin, sunflower), beans and oysters.

Why magnesium?

This mineral is very important for muscles’ contraction and relaxation (training) but also for protein production (diet). Let me tell you the biggest advantage: it helps you to sleep better. Magnesium deficiency may lead to insomnia, irritability, muscle twitching, poor mental focus and even depression. If you drink alcohol, you need to consume even more magnesium.

Where you can find it? Eat nuts (almonds, cashews), fruits (bananas, avocados), peas, beans, whole grains, cereals, cocoa, tea, green leafy vegetables (spinach).

You should be getting zinc and magnesium from the food you eat but it’s beneficial to add take it as a supplement every day too.

Both minerals will help you feel better during your diet, sleep well and reduce your body fat. Flax seed could also be very helpful. It is rich in dietary fiber and omega 3 fatty acids. Have it every night in your glass of water and you will see the difference very quickly - if you take your nutrition seriously of course! Remember, there is no “magic pill” that will do that for you but supplements can really help to get your results faster.

Remember, give your body time to recover. Training and well balanced diet are essential but without rest and proper deep sleep it will be really hard to get to your bikini body.